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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
music supplement worth ten times the cost
of the paper.
supplement which we present with this
ST* issue contains views of the editorial and
business departments of this paper. It is, we
think, passably fair. It is given with the idea
of showing only one department of this busi-
ness ; that department to which we welcome
friends and callers. The other part, the compos-
ing and press rooms, we may deal with in a
later issue, but at present we hold that that de-
partment is not of special interest—or business
for that matter—as long as the presswork is
executed with that degree of excellence which is
fully evidenced in this paper.
SAHE
3 EAST 14th STREET, NEW YORK.
SUBSCRIPTION (including postage) United States and
Canada, $3.00 per year, in advance; Foreign Countries,
$100.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $'2.00 per inch, single column, per
insertion ; unless inserted upon rates made by special
contract.
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matte
OR U>8 cause tfjal lacka assistajjw,
/l$
For tin wrogg that wds
resisted/o|
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For lite future in
R%1 tfee g-ocd tljat we' cas do."
, don't we sit with MacGregor at the
head of the table of trade journalism ?
|HE number of specially prepared articles
which appear in this issue, possess, aside
from a literary merit, much of an historical value.
the official facts concerning the Califor-
nia Mid-Winter Exposition, published in
this number, we are particularly indebted to Mr.
F. H. Trusdell, chief of the Department of Pub-
licity and Promotion. Mr. Trusdell supplied
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW with much valuable
data concerning the fair, for all of which we
wish to give public acknowledgment.
writing upon the extension of this
newspaper institution it is an eminently
fitting occasion to emphasize the unqualified
success of The Keynote, which became by
purchase last May a part of this property. The
Keynote is one of the best known musical publi-
cations in this country, but the present manage-
ment has diverted it into a field peculiarly its
own—a high class magazine for professional
and home reading. Its scope is music, art,
drama, literature, and each issue contains a
no trade which appeals to the higher instincts of
humanity more than that of musical instruments.
To the unthinking, the many hundreds of
establishments spread all over this country for
the manufacture of pianos and organs, represent
so many millions of dollars. But when we
realize, in a broader and higher sense, the place
these manufactories occupy in the development
and diffusion of musical culture, we can readily re-
cognize that the industry is no commonplace one.
It is conceded that in whatever divisions of
science, art and industry this great country is
deficient in, and they are very few, there is no
question as to the marked development, in con-
struction and improvement, of the piano and
organ. In comparison with instruments manu-
factured in any part of the world to-day, the art
products of our great country stand pre-eminent.
J S H E R E can be few better proofs of the sta-
<*T* bility and wealth of the piano industry
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
and the responsibility, capability and farsighted-
HE
history of this paper dips into the past.
ness of the many men composing it, than the
It
is not a business of late inception. The
splendid and successful manner in which they
sunshine
of trade patronage first fell upon it in
have passed through the business depression of
the past year—a period without precedent in our the close of the seventies. It was then an infant
history. Take any other large industry with a —hardly out of swaddling clothes—yet it bore
similar amount of capital invested and the record signs which have since become manifest of
has been failure after failure. Look at the piano healthy journalistic maturity. Through paths
trade and what do we find ? That with the ex- which were not always flower-strewn, it has
ception of a few firms who were compelled to close grown, broadened, expanded, and to-day its
down temporarily—but through satisfactory ar- healthy diction is recognized as authority on
rangements with their creditors are now active both continents in matters of trade, scientific or
factors in the trade again—the piano trade has historical utterances. It has been the aim of its
given the best possible proof of its healthy con- conductors to eschew everything of a sensational
dition. True, it has been a trying period to all or of a personal natuie. While we may have
industries, and, as a matter of course, there has differed with distinguished men regarding
-been a large shrinkage in the piano product, but methods, it has not been with us more than a
from the present condition of the business atmo- matter of principle. We have held—believed
sphere we are led to hope that the storm has and nurtured the idea—that while men might
passed, and that the fchip of commerce, with all disagree with us in the methods used in con-
ducting this business, they could not dis-
sails set, is nearing the harbor of better times.
agree regarding the real intent of the conductors.
Trade during the past two months has given
When we saw that the time had arrived for a
every indication of steady improvement all
specialty paper, a paper wholly devoted to the
along the line. As might be expected, the
interests of the music trade, we immediately
progress is slow—but progress has been made,
abandoned the musical department and made
and that is the main thing to chronicle.
the paper an exclusive music trade paper. It
required some nerve, some capital to make a suc-
HE important part which the musical in- cess of this, still we believed that the age was
strument industry of this great country has that of specialty and that THE MUSIC TRADE
played as a potent factor in our civilization, is REVIEW would succeed on lines of specialism.
often overlooked by the many who view the sub-
When the last decade of a century opened we
ject from a purely commercial point of view. If considered that the time had arrived for quicker
we pause to analyze the evolution of musical taste service, and from a semi-monthly THE MUSIC
and culture in any of our States, we are forced TRADE REVIEW became a weekly. There were
to admit that pianos and organs have been many who predicted failure, but the failure
stimulators and educators. They have served never came. On the contrary, the business of
to illustrate the mysterious and humanizing in- this paper expanded and became, to a certain
fluence of music. The hardy pioneers, who extent, localized in all sections. It has held a
converted the Western States from prairies into field exclusively its own. It may have had
the world's granaries have been educated, temporary-resurrected imitators, but it has re-
soothed, charmed and influenced through the mained the only purely music trade paper which
medium of these art products.
has succeeded. It has appeared every Saturday
Poets and philosophers from the earliest days without fail. Men look for it —rely upon it.
of the world's history have paid tribute in prose Times may have been depressed, but THE
and poesy to the beneficent and ennobling in- MUSIC TRADE REVIEW has never stooped to
fluence of music. The Lest and worst natures mendicant journalism. It is lun, not in the in-
terests of one man, or firm, but in the interests
are alike softened and effected by its strains.
The dignified character of the musical instru- of the entire trade. We wear no man's collar.
ment industry has helped to elevate the tone of An American paper, supporting and supported
the city or town in which it is located. There is by the legitimate music trades of America.
f
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